Everything you need to know about digital nomads

As JRR Tolkien wisely put it, some things aren’t always quite as they seem and, in this case, the notion of being a wanderer is far more appealing than being chained to your desk.

Do you yearn for the globetrotting lifestyle? Or maybe you just need a little more flexibility in your career?

In our increasingly digital world, technology has equipped us with a myriad of fresh options when it comes to the workplace, and one of them is the ability to take a more nomadic approach to our careers.

Digital nomads are part of a growing coterie of workers who use various telecommunications technologies to perform their daily tasks, without being tied to a fixed location.

According to the below infographic from Linda Bravo of Market Inspector, some of the most popular roles in tech – including software developers, graphic designers, and content writers or editors – are drifting towards the nomadic way of life.

Last month, e-commerce firm Shopify announced that it was creating 100 new remote-working jobs in the west of Ireland, highlighting the ever-increasing demand for a flexible work culture.

Hiring Now

With a strong work-life balance sitting high atop the hierarchy of needs for modern tech employees, the option to work remotely might be a deciding factor in accepting a job offer.

When it comes to choosing your preferred location, you may think that working from home is your best option. But, with a stable Wi-Fi connection as your only prerequisite, the world is your oyster.

Wherever I wander, wherever I roam

Some cities have capitalised on this new remote-working culture and have used it to their advantage, becoming buzzing hives of activity for people wishing to avail of a more liberating lifestyle.

One of these is Berlin in Germany, which we recently highlighted on Siliconrepublic.com for its efforts to lure UK tech workers in the wake of Brexit. With its reasonable cost of living and desirable location in central Europe, Berlin offers a few peachy perks that many sun-deprived office employees might be craving at this very moment.

Other major metropolitan areas that tech workers are flocking to in their droves include Austin, Buenos Aires, Tel Aviv and Ho Chi Minh City.

Check out the infographic below for more information on digital nomad hubs, as well as some tips on how to find your dream job and your nearest co-working space.

Shelly joined Silicon Republic in September 2016 to realise her lifelong dream of being a professional nitpicker. Before this, she worked as a freelance writer for various newspapers and made coffee for people who use the word ‘expresso’. She enjoys red wine on rare occasions, such as weekdays and weekends. In her spare time, she sits on the train writing sarcastic blog posts under her pseudonym, CynicGal.

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